Ex-Sefton chief to step in at Fylde Coast

Graham Haywood, project director for the NWDA at Daresbury science park and former chief executive of Sefton Council, has been appointed interim chief executive of the Fylde Coast Economic Development Company after an initial recruitment search failed to find a suitable candidate.

The Fylde Coast EDC comes into force on 1 April and is being established by four councils: Blackpool, Wyre, Fylde and Lancashire, to deliver economic growth through a multi area agreement signed last year.

Haywood took early retirement from after 17 years in 2008. He said: "I am delighted to be working with Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde as I believe we are faced with a wonderful opportunity for the future. I am looking forward to working with everyone to deliver ambitious change."

Fylde Coast EDC will replace ReBlackpool, the urban regeneration company for the sub-regional capital since 2003. The new agency is backed by the North West Development Agency and the Homes & Communities Agency.

Mike Appleton, former director of developer Cibitas, will be chairman of the EDC. He said: "Graham will be in place for around six months and will help set up the formal processes of the new company. The search will start again in the summer."

The EDC will eventually have around 50 staff and be absd initially in the Enterprise Centre in South Shore, Blackpool. There will be satellite offices in other council areas.

Appleton said he hoped the permanent base could be used to kickstart a development as a pre-let.